Okanagan College Foundation

We have crossed the finish line!!! 🎉🎉🎉

Thanks to the extraordinary support of donors, partners and community members, the $14 million fundraising goal for the Don Folk and Family Recreation and Wellness Centre has officially been reached!

Every gift helped make this new space possible. Now, students will have a place to move, recharge, connect and experience the sense of belonging that comes through sport.

This accomplishment belongs to our entire community. We're incredibly grateful to everyone who stepped up to make this vision a reality. ❤️

Read the media release: https://www.okanagancollege.ca/news/community-helps-okanagan-college-cross-14m-finish-line-for-recreation-and-wellness-centre?utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1demo0e6e6czu&fbclid=IwY2xjawTZv7NleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFaV1dNZWhtVTlQOXZmRTBxc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhpXhY1qyDgh3LJc_L9TVQ-4RHRg0gLAeOdR2Smo0q9bmSm4Vny-C9Tha0QA_aem_ob6I3_qbu1Gt1WARJZQgng

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we have officially reached the $14 million fundraising goal for the Don Folk and Family Recreation and Wellness Centre!

This fall, students will have access to a competition-size gymnasium, fitness suite and weight room, elevated indoor walking track, flexible fitness studios and seating for more than 700 spectators. It was created to build healthy bodies and minds, and forge friendships through sport that will last a lifetime.

To every donor, partner, volunteer, alum, business and community member who believed in this vision, thank you. Your support is helping build healthier bodies, stronger minds and a brighter future for our students and our community.

This is what happens when a community comes together. ❤️

Learn more about the new Recreation and Wellness Centre here https://www.okanagancollege.ca/news/community-helps-okanagan-college-cross-14m-finish-line-for-recreation-and-wellness-centre

Congratulations to Jillian Garrett!

Jillian has won the July 24, 2026 50/50 staff lottery draw for $1007.50!

All OC faculty and staff (age 19+) can participate in the 50/50 lottery. To learn more about how you can help transform the lives of our students, visit https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/oc-foundation/staff-lotto

Know your limit, play within it. Licence #168507

We're proud to see Okanagan College playing a key role in Kelowna's UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy journey, helping showcase our region's vibrant food culture, creative talent and tourism sector across Canada.

It's an example of the collaborative spirit that will be further strengthened through the future Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism.

Read the full story below. 👇

Kelowna’s recent designation as Canada’s first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy is creating new opportunities to showcase the Okanagan’s food culture and creative talent. Through a collaboration with London, Ontario — Canada’s only UNESCO Creative City in Music — local country artist Jonathan Williams will represent Kelowna at the Home County Music & Art Festival on July 24 and 25.

The partnership is one of the first collaborations stemming from Kelowna’s UNESCO designation and highlights opportunities for cultural exchange through UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network. Promotional materials associated with the festival will also feature information about Kelowna’s UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy designation, encouraging visitors to learn more about the Okanagan’s culinary culture, agricultural heritage, wineries, craft beverage producers and food experiences.

Okanagan College has played a key role in Kelowna’s City of Gastronomy journey, partnering with the City of Kelowna and Tourism Kelowna on the original UNESCO application and continuing to support the initiative through its involvement in the governance and implementation of the designation.

Read the full story at https://www.okanagancollege.ca/news/where-food-and-music-meet-unesco-designation-creates-opportunities-to-showcase-the-okanagan-0

Congratulations to Angela Blondin!

Angela has won the July 10, 2026 50/50 staff lottery draw for $1035!

All OC faculty and staff (age 19+) can participate in the 50/50 lottery. To learn more about how you can help transform the lives of our students, visit https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/oc-foundation/staff-lotto

Know your limit, play within it. Licence #168507

We're proud to share that Chef Ned Bell has been named a 2026 inductee to the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame by the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association!

Chef Ned has often said that what we have here in the Okanagan is special, and as Creative Advisor for the Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism, he's helping transform that belief into an extraordinary learning experience for future generations.

Together with our donors and community partners, we're proud to be building a place where students can learn, create and lead.

Congratulations, Chef, on this well-deserved honour! 👏👏👏

Cheers and congrats to Chef Ned Bell on being inducted to the 2026 BC Restaurant Hall of Fame by the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association.

This honour celebrates individuals whose passion, innovation and dedication have shaped British Columbia’s restaurant and hospitality industry and puts Chef Ned among a distinguished group of industry leaders.

We’re proud to be working alongside Chef Ned to help reimagine food experiences on our Kelowna campus. Through this partnership, he is helping create a bold new vision for an open-to-the-public restaurant, café and event venue that will integrate students into the experiential learning eco-system of the Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism when it opens in fall 2027.

Congratulations, Chef, on this well-deserved recognition. We’re excited to continue building something beyond extraordinary together.

BC Restaurant & Foodservices Association

Adventure awaits—and your purchase helps build the next generation of skilled trades professionals!

FOR SALE - 2012 Keystone Cougar 25RLS Travel Trailer

Hit the road in comfort with this 2012 Keystone Cougar 25RLS travel trailer. Designed with a spacious rear living room, comfortable seating, a fully equipped kitchen, and all the amenities you need for your next adventure, this Cougar is ready to help you create lasting memories.

What makes this trailer unique is the story behind it. As part of OC’s Trades training programs, this travel trailer was repaired and restored by skilled students under the close supervision of experienced instructors. This hands-on learning experience allows students to develop real-world skills while ensuring every repair meets professional standards.
Best of all, your purchase makes a difference. All proceeds from the sale directly support program training, helping provide future students with valuable hands-on educational opportunities.

Price: $15,000

For more details on the RV, including how to purchase, visit:

Vehicle Auctions | Okanagan College Okanagan College Foundation supports automotive trades programs—Collision Repair and RV Service Technician—through the purchase and sale of used vehicles. Proceeds are held by Okanagan College Foundation for program support.

Congratulations to Jacob Fitzgerald!

Jacob has won the June 26, 2026 50/50 staff lottery draw for $1042.50!

All OC faculty and staff (age 19+) can participate in the 50/50 lottery. To learn more about how you can help transform the lives of our students, visit https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/oc-foundation/staff-lotto

Know your limit, play within it. Licence #168507

A heartfelt thank you to The Rotary Club of Kelowna and the Rotary Club of Kelowna Ogopogo for their combined $100,000 gift to the Don Folk and Family Recreation and Wellness Centre!

Made possible through the generosity of golfers, whisky tasting attendees, sponsors and volunteers, this gift will support a new multi-purpose activity studio, helping students stay active, build connections and prioritize their well-being for years to come.

This is what community looks like. Thank you to everyone who helped make this incredible impact possible. 💙

Read more at https://www.okanagancollege.ca/news/rotary-clubs-help-students-thrive-with-a-100000-gift-to-the-recreation-and-wellness-centre-at

In the photos:
Rotary Club of Kelowna – From left to right: Jim Kentel, Braden McKay, Robin Smith, President of the Rotary Club of Kelowna, Geoff McIntyre and Darcy Haw.
Rotary Club of Kelowna Ogopogo – Brian Dick, winner of the whisky tasting contest (left) and Brian Hillaby, President of the Rotary Club of Kelowna Ogopogo (right).

Congratulations to Wil Martinez!

Wil has won the June 12, 2026 50/50 staff lottery draw for $1060!

All OC faculty and staff (age 19+) can participate in the 50/50 lottery. To learn more about how you can help transform the lives of our students, visit https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/oc-foundation/staff-lotto

Know your limit, play within it. Licence #168507

Ten years ago, our community came together to help build a home for trades education at Okanagan College.

Today, we're seeing the impact.

Congratulations to OC students Vladyslav Usach (🥇 Collision Repair) and Emily Frick (🥉 Car Painting) on their incredible success at the 2026 Skills Canada National Competition!

Their achievements highlight the talent, determination, and hands-on learning that define trades education at Okanagan College.

As we celebrate 10 years of the Trades Training Centre, we're grateful to the donors and supporters whose generosity has helped students build skills, careers, and bright futures over the past decade.